This year marks the 20th running of the celebration of drag racing history at Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, California, known as the NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion. Even though thoughts of an infinite nostalgia loop come to mind, it has in fact been that many years since the first California Hot Rod Reunion. The event is a unique combination of heads-up and index drag racing, swap meet, car show, and happenings all weekend in and around Bakersfield.

No one is more enthusiastic about the ongoing excitement than Steve Gibbs, who after far more than 20 years of drag racing involvement and influence, is the 2011 event’s grand marshal. The ongoing chronicle of nitromethane and drag racing history in motion continues. Drag racing and velocity devotees are so advised to head to the ‘Patch October 21-22. Everything you need to know about getting to and into the event is at the NHRA Hot Rod Reunion official page.

In preparation for this event, we dug through our archives of California Hot Rod Reunion shots for the following gallery. Enjoy!